Police investigate a scene in the 1500 block of Etting Street around 1 a.m. on July 7. Read more Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer

by Ellie Rushing Published Aug. 1, 2025, 4:32 p.m. ET

Philadelphia police say they now believe a mass shooting at a party in Grays Ferry last month was not a targeted attack, and that the 12 people shot were struck by bullets fired by partygoers who, after hearing what they thought was the sound of gunfire, pulled out their weapons and aimlessly started shooting.

Deputy Police Commissioner Frank Vanore said detectives, based on witness interviews and evidence at the scene, believe that people heard a shot fired — though it’s not clear who fired it, where, or at what they were shooting. Investigators, he said, have not recovered video showin

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